Top 5 Microplastic Purifiers For Cleaner Air in 2024

Why Microplastic Air Purification Matters

As mentioned in our Going Microplastic-Free Guide, properly filtering microplastics in the air is second to, if not just as important as filtering microplastics from our water when it comes to reducing ingestion of these tiny particles. Depending on your environment, you could be breathing in unwanted microplastics constantly, causing negative effects to our hormone regulation, fertility, and more. 

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Similar to how ingested plastics from our water sources could forever implant plastic into our system, our lungs are even more susceptible to permanent damage. We have not evolved with biological systems in place to remove plastic material from our lungs than our digestive system or bloodstream.

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These microplastics can be incredibly small - sometimes small enough to be called ‘nano’-plastics - with a size as small as 1 micrometer/micron, all the way to 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 microns. The lower end of this range is somewhat non-filterable by consumer-grade standards, but we can improve upon our exposure with the right air cleaner purifier.

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Fortunately, there are many air purifiers and air filters on the market that satisfy our needs for reducing airborne microplastics (down to 0.1 microns)  in our enclosed environments.

Picking The Right Air Purifier

When it comes to purchasing the right air purifier or filter, we researched the main considerations to keep in mind.

Is it HEPA-certified? - “True” HEPA, or “high efficiency particulate air”-rated filters are capable of removing particles from the air up to 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency (called H11-H13), the best consumer-grade filtration rating for our microplastic-removing needs. 

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All of our recommended filters will be HEPA-certified (H11+), but some will be “Medical-grade” HEPA filters (H13) which are even better, with a filter rating of 99.995% of particles of 0.1-micron diameter. There are even more impressive filters on our list (H14 and beyond) that can remove 0.01-micron sized particles.

Note that higher grade filters require more air pressure, so will often be louder and be less electrically efficient.

What is the circulation rate? - Larger filter units will be needed for larger homes and/or rooms. Standardized as the number square feet filtered per hour, this is an important point to consider when buying the correctly sized air purifier for your needs.

How loud is the unit? - Measured in decibels (db), some of these filters on our list will prioritize a quieter output over performance. If you are a light sleeper or have a young child, a lower volume unit would be an apt choice.

Is the filter aesthetically pleasing? - Since your new purifier will likely be in the middle of a room and stay put, the overall profile, color, and style of the purifier will certainly play a role in which unit you decide to purchase.

What is the initial cost of the filter? - Last but not the least, the price point of these filters will be considered and compared to the overall features they boast. Additionally, we will also mention prices of replacement filters if they are extra expensive, or on the other hand, relatively cheap.

Our Top 5 Microplastic Air Purifiers of 2024

With the aforementioned considerations, here are the best air purifiers we have found within different criteria. 

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Overall Best Pick For Microplastic Filtration (0.01-Micron) - Coway Airmega AP-1512HH

The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH has been a reputable air filter model for years, topping the most charts and reviews you will find online, and for good reason. Sporting the most powerful filter on our list, the Airmega can remove an amazing 99.999% of particles down to 0.01 microns, far more than nearly every other top air purifier we can find. 

Coming in black and white options, the Airmega also circulates 1,748 sqft per hour, making it a great, stylish yet effective choice for most room sizes or even full apartment studios/floors. On their listings, there are more expensive versions of the filter with built-in monitoring over WiFi.

Furthermore, the Airmega has smart eco features that reduce the power and noise level when the air purity sensors reach high quality for 30 minutes, saving on power. 

If you want to purchase the buy-it-for-life option, the absolute best consumer-grade air filter is undoubtedly the Airmega, and is worth the extra money for these features.

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Best Bang For Your Buck Pick (Small Rooms) - AirTok H13 HEPA Filter (2 Pack)

In an astounding deal, AirTok is currently selling a two-pack of their H13 HEPA filter which not only satisfies our basic requirements for 0.3-to-0.1-micron filtration at a rate of 99.99%, but also does so at an incredibly low price. The replacement filters are only ~$15 a piece, making it a long-term solution without the fear of investing in the wrong tech ecosystem.

Also, this purifier features an aromatherapy component, where you can apply essential oils inside a container to have the unit distribute great scents around your room. 

However, the caveat is that each filter is only recommended for small rooms with a 376 sqft per hour circulation rate. While great for small rooms, read on if you are looking for quality filters that circulate larger rooms.

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Best Bang For Your Buck Pick (Medium Rooms) - LEVOIT Core-300P Air Purifier

The LEVOIT Core-300P Air Purifier brings 1,095 sqft of circulation per hour for still a relatively low price and high filtration rate comparable to the AirTok H13 HEPA Filter. 

Still packed with features such as sleep and eco modes, this filter is a great choice for medium sized rooms, with a very similar cylinder style to the AirTok model.

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Best Filter For Large Rooms (3,000 sqft+) - BLUEAIR Blue Pure 211i Max

BLUEAIR has been an up and coming air filter brand that prides itself on quiet filtration technology that also maintains decent efficiency. Covering an incredibly large space of over 3,000 sqft circulated per hour, the Blue Pure 211i is a great pick for larger rooms or floors.

The unit is also aesthetically pleasing, fitting well with various types of furniture without taking up too much space.

This large model automatically includes WiFi capability, which seems fitting for a filter designed for large rooms - the user does not need to get up or move around to adjust the settings. 

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Best Quiet Filter For Light Sleepers/Bedroom - BLUEAIR Blue Pure 511

Using the same technology, BLUEAIR also has a smaller model, the Blue Pure 511 that sports an equally quiet output but for a lower cost and smaller air circulation rate, a perfect option for those trying to clean the air in bedrooms or crib rooms to keep elderly and children sound asleep.

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(Bonus) Best Wifi-Enabled Air Filter - LEVOIT 200S-P Air Purifier

Last on our list is a bonus category, for those who are interested in monitoring and tracking their home’s air quality at a moment’s notice.

Another LEVOIT brand filter, the 200S-P Air Purifier, covers and impressive 1,800 sqft per hour. LEVOIT’s wifi app includes unique features that happen to make it the best air purifier for pets, such as ‘pet mode’, where different filtration settings can be activated to temporarily prioritize removing smells, useful for when you bring a dog in from the park or rain, or anticipate a highly-scented kitchen recipe coming ahead.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Air Purifiers

Once you have your new filter, there are a few tricks to maximizing the efficiency of your microplastic-reducing goal.

Take note of your specific filter’s instructions on placement as well as directions for cleaning and/or replacing air filters over time. Running an air filter for long periods without changing the filters could significantly reduce overall efficiency.

Additionally, be sure to dust your home, apartment, or office as well as you can. Keeping the dust off surfaces prevents them from being kicked up to begin with when moving around, so dusting in tandem with a good air filter will further decrease your inhalation.

What About Microplastics Outside Our Homes?

In short, yes, there is technically a higher disposition of microplastic particles in the air we breathe outside our homes. The battle against microplastics is about managing what you can control and not worrying about what you cannot control, as completely removing all microplastic inhalation is simply impossible in our age.

However, there are ways to reduce inhalation in high particulate areas. As an example, avoiding breathing unfiltered air near congested roads with high traffic could help reduce microplastic inhalation, as tire wear has been found to be a large contributor to overall ambient air pollution. A more extreme way to avoid general inhalation would be to move to a less populated, more rural area with less traffic and movement kicking up these pollutants into the air you breathe. 

At the end of the day, your focus should be improving the air quality of the environments you spend the most time in, such as your home and office.

Conclusion

When you choose one of these air purifiers, you will be one step closer to a microplastic-free lifestyle that is better for you and your family's health.

If you want to learn more about ways to reduce your daily microplastic consumption for good, read on in our full guide.

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